Tenant Ordered to Pay Rent Arrears and Compensation
📌 In brief
The Tenancy Tribunal ruled that the tenant must pay rent arrears and compensate the landlord for cleaning and replacing locks at the end of the tenancy. The tenant did not leave the premises clean and did not return the keys.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant must pay rent arrears and compensate the landlord for damages incurred at the end of the tenancy.
📖 What the law says
This section outlines a tenant's responsibilities, including paying rent on time, keeping the property reasonably clean and tidy, and leaving it in a similar condition when moving out, removing all belongings and rubbish.
Plain-English explanation — does not replace advice from a lawyer.
📖 Technical summary
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay rent arrears and compensate the landlord for cleaning and lock changes.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay rent arrears and compensate the landlord for cleaning and lock changes at the end of the tenancy. The tenant failed to comply with their obligations under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.
📚 Full judgment Official document
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[2025] NZTT 5102288
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT REMOTE LOCATION | TE TARAIPIUNARA RETIHANGA
APPLICANT: [redacted]
Landlord
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Tenant
TENANCY ADDRESS: Unit/[ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
ORDER
1. [NAME] must pay [COMPANY] $1,187.00 immediately, calculated as shown in table below.
2. The Bond Centre is to pay the bond of $1,520.00 (6144976-012) to [COMPANY] immediately.
Description Landlord Rent arrears to 23/12/2025 $2,280.00 Cleaning $150.00 Lock/key replacement $250.00 Filing fee reimbursement $27.00 Total award $2,707.00 Minus Bond $1,520.00 Total payable by Tenant to Landlord $1,187.00
Reasons:
1. Only the applicant attended the hearing which took place by teleconference. The tenant was called on the number provided, and the call was answered by
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someone who stated they knew the tenant but said she no longer used this number. A new contact number was not provided.
2. The file records that the application was filed prior to the end of the tenancy and service on the tenant occurred by post to the tenancy address as required by section 91A(1) of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986. The hearing proceeded.
3. The landlord advised that since filing the application the tenant has vacated the premises and the application was amended to include a claim for cleaning and lock change.
4. The landlord has applied for rent arrears, compensation, refund of the bond, and reimbursement of the filing fee following the end of the tenancy.
How much is owed for rent?
5. The tenancy ended on 23 December 2025 when the landlord discovered the premises empty. The landlord provided rent records which prove the amount owing at the end of the tenancy.
Did the tenant comply with their obligations at the end of the tenancy?
6. At the end of the tenancy the tenant must leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy, remove all rubbish, return all keys and security devices, and leave all chattels provided for their benefit. See section 40(1)(e)(ii)-(v) Residential Tenancies Act 1986.
7. The tenant did not leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy and did not remove all rubbish.
8. The tenant did not return the keys.
9. The amounts ordered are proved. The landlord has provided photographs and invoices in support of the claim.
Filing fee
10. [COMPANY] has wholly succeeded with the claim I must reimburse the filing fee.
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[NAME] 28 April 2025
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Please read carefully: Visit justice.govt.nz/tribunals/tenancy/rehearings-appeals for more information on rehearings and appeals.
Rehearings You can apply for a rehearing if you believe that a substantial wrong or miscarriage of justice has happened. For example: • you did not get the letter telling you the date of the hearing, or • the adjudicator improperly admitted or rejected evidence, or • new evidence, relating to the original application, has become available.
You must give reasons and evidence to support your application for a rehearing. A rehearing will not be granted just because you disagree with the decision. You must apply within five working days of the decision using the Application for Rehearing form: justice.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Forms/TT-Application-for-rehearing.pdf
Right of Appeal Both the landlord and the tenant can file an appeal. You should file your appeal at the District Court where the original hearing took place. The cost for an appeal is $260. You must apply within 10 working days after the decision is issued using this Appeal to the District Court form: justice.govt.nz/tribunals/tenancy/rehearings-appeals
Grounds for an appeal You can appeal if you think the decision was wrong, but not because you don’t like the decision. For some cases, there’ll be no right to appeal. For example, you can’t appeal: • against an interim order • a final order for the payment of less than $1000 • a final order to undertake work worth less than $1000.
Enforcement Where the Tribunal made an order about money or property this is called a civil debt. The Ministry of Justice Collections Team can assist with enforcing civil debt. You can contact the collections team on [PHONE] or go to justice.govt.nz/fines/civil-debt for forms and information.
Notice to a party ordered to pay money or vacate premises, etc. Failure to comply with any order may result in substantial additional costs for enforcement. It may also involve being ordered to appear in the District Court for an examination of your means or seizure of your property.
If you require further help or information regarding this matter, visit tenancy.govt.nz/disputes/enforcing- decisions or phone Tenancy Services on [PHONE].
Mēna ka hiahia koe ki ētahi atu awhina, kōrero ranei mo tēnei take, haere ki tenei ipurangi tenancy.govt.nz/disputes/enforcing-decisions, waea atu ki Ratonga Takirua ma runga [PHONE] ranei.
https://www.justice.govt.nz/tribunals/tenancy/rehearings-appeals https://www.justice.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Forms/TT-Application-for-rehearing.pdf https://www.justice.govt.nz/tribunals/tenancy/rehearings-appeals/ https://www.justice.govt.nz/fines/about-civil-debt/ https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/disputes/enforcing-decisions https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/disputes/enforcing-decisions http://www.tenancy.govt.nz/disputes/enforcing-decisions/
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A manaomia nisi faamatalaga poo se fesoasoani, e uiga i lau mataupu, asiasi ifo le matou aupega tafailagi: tenancy.govt.nz/disputes/enforcing-decisions, pe fesootai mai le Tenancy Services i le numera [PHONE].
Reasons:
⚖️ What tends to weigh in cases like this
✅ Tends to be accepted
- The tenant did not leave the rental unit clean and tidy.
- The tenant did not return the keys to the rental unit.
- The landlord provided proof of the amount owed through rent records.
- The landlord provided supporting documents such as photos and invoices.
❌ Tends to be rejected
- The tenant did not provide a new contact number for communication.
- The tenant did not comply with their obligations at the end of the tenancy.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The tenant was ordered to pay rent arrears and compensate the landlord for cleaning and lock changes.
What was the dispute about?
The dispute was about unpaid rent and the need for cleaning and lock changes at the end of the tenancy.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided that the tenant must pay the landlord due to non-compliance with their obligations at the end of the tenancy.
Which laws or rules were applied?
The Residential Tenancies Act 1986, sections 40 and 91A were applied.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The most important argument was that the tenant did not comply with their obligations to leave the premises clean and return the keys.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was for the landlord who brought the case.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Someone in a similar situation should ensure they comply with their obligations at the end of the tenancy to avoid penalties.
What evidence or documents mattered?
Photographs and invoices supporting the landlord's claims mattered in the decision.